IEFA vs. QEFA

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

IEFA (iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF) and QEFA (SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - IEFA tracks the MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net) while QEFA tracks the MSCI EAFE Factor Mix A-Series (USD). Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IEFA returned 9.25%/yr vs 8.65%/yr for QEFA. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IEFA charges 0.07%/yr vs 0.30%/yr for QEFA.

Performance

IEFA vs. QEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF (QEFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IEFA achieves a 9.67% return, which is significantly higher than QEFA's 7.48% return. Over the past 10 years, IEFA has outperformed QEFA with an annualized return of 9.25%, while QEFA has yielded a comparatively lower 8.65% annualized return.

IEFA

• 1D: 0.75%
• 1M: 2.81%
• YTD: 9.67%
• 6M: 12.00%
• 1Y: 22.30%
• 3Y*: 17.24%
• 5Y*: 8.23%
• 10Y*: 9.25%

QEFA

• 1D: 0.64%
• 1M: 1.05%
• YTD: 7.48%
• 6M: 9.37%
• 1Y: 17.51%
• 3Y*: 15.19%
• 5Y*: 7.76%
• 10Y*: 8.65%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IEFA vs. QEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	9.67%	32.08%	3.26%	17.95%	-15.24%	11.63%	8.18%	22.64%	-14.14%	26.57%
QEFA SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF	7.48%	29.25%	2.27%	17.40%	-14.03%	12.50%	6.76%	21.91%	-10.39%	24.03%

Correlation

The correlation between IEFA and QEFA is 0.95 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.95
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.97
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.95
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jun 6, 2014	0.86

The correlation between IEFA and QEFA shifts across timeframes, from 0.86 (all time) to 0.98 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IEFA vs. QEFA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IEFA	QEFA
Financial Services	22.5%	14.3%
Industrials	20.1%	8.7%
Technology	10.8%	10.1%
Healthcare	9.5%	11.6%
Consumer Cyclical	8.0%	5.7%
Basic Materials	7.0%	4.9%
Consumer Defensive	6.6%	4.2%
Communication Services	4.4%	3.3%
Energy	3.8%	5.1%
Utilities	3.6%	2.7%
Real Estate	3.0%	1.8%

Return for Risk

IEFA vs. QEFA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IEFA

IEFA Risk / Return Rank: 44
IEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 44
IEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 44
IEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 44
IEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 41
IEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 46

QEFA

QEFA Risk / Return Rank: 39
QEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 39
QEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 38
QEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 38
QEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 38
QEFA Martin Ratio Rank: 42

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

IEFA vs. QEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) and SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF (QEFA). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	IEFA	QEFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.50	1.38	+0.12
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	1.96	+0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.27	1.25	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.95	1.84	+0.11
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.43	6.59	+0.84
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IEFA vs. QEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IEFA Sharpe Ratio is 1.50, which is comparable to the QEFA Sharpe Ratio of 1.38. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IEFA and QEFA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IEFA	QEFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.50	1.38	+0.12
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.53	-0.03
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.54	-0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.43	+0.08

Drawdowns

IEFA vs. QEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IEFA drawdown since its inception was -34.78%, which is greater than QEFA's maximum drawdown of -31.71%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IEFA and QEFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	IEFA	QEFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-34.78%	-31.71%	-3.07%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.50%	-9.58%	-1.92%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.76%	-12.23%	-1.53%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-30.41%	-28.09%	-2.32%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.78%	-31.71%	-3.07%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.46%	-2.31%	+1.85%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-6.69%	-6.08%	-0.61%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.01%	2.66%	+0.35%

Volatility

IEFA vs. QEFA - Volatility Comparison

iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) has a higher volatility of 4.75% compared to SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF (QEFA) at 3.78%. This indicates that IEFA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than QEFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IEFA	QEFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.75%	3.78%	+0.97%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.44%	10.26%	+2.18%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.94%	12.73%	+2.21%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.50%	14.77%	+1.73%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.29%	16.03%	+1.26%

IEFA vs. QEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IEFA has a 0.07% expense ratio, which is lower than QEFA's 0.30% expense ratio.

Dividends

IEFA vs. QEFA - Dividend Comparison

IEFA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.24%, more than QEFA's 2.85% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IEFA iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF	3.24%	3.55%	3.47%	3.20%	2.70%	3.32%	1.90%	3.18%	3.46%	2.57%	2.96%	2.63%
QEFA SPDR MSCI EAFE StrategicFactors ETF	2.85%	3.13%	3.17%	2.79%	3.02%	2.37%	1.82%	2.95%	3.22%	2.33%	2.01%	2.94%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IEFA and QEFA in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.95, IEFA and QEFA move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, IEFA or QEFA?

IEFA has higher volatility (4.75%) compared to QEFA (3.78%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IEFA dropped -34.78% vs QEFA's -31.71%.

Which ETF is better, IEFA or QEFA?

On 10-year performance, IEFA leads with 9.25% vs 8.65% for QEFA. On fees, IEFA is cheaper at 0.07% per year. On volatility, QEFA has been the lower-risk option at 3.78%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IEFA or QEFA?

Over the 10-year period, IEFA has performed better with a 9.25% return vs 8.65%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IEFA or QEFA?

IEFA is cheaper with a 0.07% expense ratio, compared with 0.30% for QEFA.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IEFA or QEFA?

IEFA has the higher dividend yield at 3.24%, compared with 2.85% for QEFA.

What is the main difference between IEFA and QEFA?

IEFA tracks MSCI EAFE IMI Index (Net), while QEFA tracks MSCI EAFE Factor Mix A-Series (USD). They also come from different issuers: iShares and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.07% for IEFA and 0.30% for QEFA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IEFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.50 vs 1.38), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.